
7 War Museums worth visiting in Norway
Many history buffs have asked us about war museums in the Nordic region, but there are benefits for anyone to visit some while in this unique part of the world.
Our staff will respond to your query promptly and provide detailed information to your questions.
4 days - Silent Esledding, Wilderness Safaris & Ice Cave Adventure in Spitsbergen
Experience the adventure of Svalbard in Winter on this 4 day adventure tour. Designed to make it easy to discover the unique winter atmosphere of Svalbard, one of the planet’s last great frontiers, this tour includes four activities taking you out into the wilderness in comfort.
Svalbard (also known as Spitsbergen) offers Arctic experiences on the edge of the inhabitable world, but it’s not as inaccessible as people might think. There are no roads beyond Longyearbyen. Here, you really are on the border of civilization. Outside the city only, the vast wilderness is waiting for you. Despite its history of coal mining and trapping, Svalbard is still mainly pristine wilderness. One of the most fragile ecosystems anywhere on Earth.
Between October and April, the conditions vary drastically weather and daylight wise, from total darkness to wonderful spring sunlight. This program alters accordingly.
Please note that all our itineraries, inclusions, dates and prices displayed on this website may change at any time. If you book an itinerary today and have this confirmed it will be the itinerary that is delivered to you. However, the online itinerary on our website may change in the meantime.
Private transfers in Longyearbyen
Arrive Longyearbyen and private transfer to your hotel. This small hotel, 5 kilometres from the airport, is centrally located, offering 24-hour reception, free WiFi, a terrace and modern rooms with a flat-screen TV. Once you have settled in, you will have a private tour of Longyearbyen.
This evening, experience the magic of being out in the wilderness at 78 degrees north! You will search for the Northern lights during a visit to the Camp Barentz. This fantastic location is at the foot of the mountain Breinosa, and just below Mine 7. Barentz house is a replica of the cabin that Svalbards discoverer Willem Barentz overwintered on Novaya Semlya in 1596. Here, far from the city lighting, you have perfect conditions for to hunt for the northern lights. And you get close to nature! From Camp Barentz you can experience reindeer, grouse and foxes up close if you are lucky. And your hosts will be on guard in case a polar bear should approach.
During your visit, you will be served something good to drink and delicious, homemade reindeer bidos, campfire coffee and dessert. This is a real Svalbard meal! Sit around the fire, hearing stories about the Northern Lights as you wait for them to show, fingers crossed. Return transfer to your hotel.
This is the sound of the Arctic silence. The electric scooter is designed to withstand extreme conditions in polar regions. The absence of engine noise provides comfort and at the same time the opportunity to get closer to nature experiences and wildlife without disturbing. Join us in a completely new way to experience the beautiful Arctic nature - with electric snowmobiles!
Northern lights safari with electric snowmobile is exotic, but at the same time practical because you stay close to Longyearbyen. The journey goes beyond Adventdalen, in search of the Northern Lights. Away from the city and the light pollution, the chances are good. When it is polar night, between early November and the end of January, you have the opportunity to see the northern lights around the clock - even in the middle of the day. The daylight is somewhat dimmer than what occurs in the evening, but with its more reddish tinge it is a fascinating sight!
Today is a full 7-hour dogsledding adventure. This tour starts at the dog yard, where nearly 300 eager huskies are waiting for their next tour. Which will be on the lucky ones on your team? Electro, Ginger, Duma or Briz?
You will be equipped with an exposure suit, boots and mittens, before you hop in and help the guide to harness and prepare the dogs. The barking and howling can seem a bit chaotic, but suddenly, it all changes. As soon as the dogs start to run, they become completely silent. The huskies are completely focussed on pulling the sled through the snow, and you can enjoy the magical landscape around you. On this trip, your goal is to reach the ice cave at the Scott Turner Glacier.
The guide will drive first with two guests, and the following sleds will be driven by two guests, who swap between driving and sitting in the sled.You will follow the river bed that heads into Bolterdalen, surrounded by mighty mountains. As you approach the glacier, enjoy a little more up and down between the moraine formations, and then take a break by the ice cave.
A frozen world appears as you make your way down into the ice cave. Stuck in the ice you can see 1000 year old remnants of frozen plants, fantastic ice formations, narrow passages and big caverns. Welcome to an underworld hidden to all who haven’t made their way into the deep. The dogs will have a well-deserved rest while you explore the mystical underground world, and after lunch you will return to the dog yard. After having seen the dogs work hard to pull the sled up onto the glacier, it is a delight to see them run easily downhill. On the flat, mush at an even tempo, and you will have time to digest the impressions from the day, and enjoy the beautiful, untouched landscape.
On your return to the hotel, you will join a beer tasting session before dinner.
After breakfast, private transfer to airport.
All prices listed twin share, per person. Prices are indicative due to the current uncertainty across Europe with increasing energy and volatile fuel costs. For last minute bookings: prices are subject to availability.
By the end of October the last rays of the sun disappear below the horizon, and Svalbard heads towards a period of darkness. For more than two months, between mid-November and the end of January, darkness prevails around the clock. During the darkest times there is no telling if it is noon or midnight. When the sky is clear, stars light up the sky. The Northern Lights and a full moon bounce their light from the snowcovered mountains, and suddenly the darkness doesn’t seem so overwhelming. By February, the light returns slowly. Light blue, pink, and purple colours light up the scenery. Finally, the sun hits the first mountain peaks.
Please bring wool socks, wool mittens to wear under the scooter gloves, Inner layer: wool, Mid layer: Sweater and pants in fleece or wool for your snow activities. You will also need to bring your drivers licence for the snow mobile trip.
Please note prices for goods in Svalbard are quite expensive, however, due to tax reasons, alcohol is comparatively cheap.
You may like to add snowcat drives or ice cave exploring onto this itinerary.
Many history buffs have asked us about war museums in the Nordic region, but there are benefits for anyone to visit some while in this unique part of the world.
Resident of Longyearbyen, our friend Maria Rossi shares with you her 'top ten things to see and do in Svalbard'. Regardless of season, the magnificent outdoors, high standard in hotels and fine dining options (along with the jolly old pub) will cater for all your requests.
Take a glimpse of some wildlife tours that we offer in the Nordic region. Which one are you most interested in – polar bears, brown bears, whales or puffins?
If you want to commit to a booking please use the Book Tour form below.
Book your tour now. We will contact you to confirm this request.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours with 50 Degrees North. The safety of our travellers, staff and operators is a major priority of 50 Degrees North. With an operational office in Norway, 50 Degrees North has access to an up-to-the-minute flow of information regarding the countries we work in. We are also in regular contact with the various operators we use. Their in-depth knowledge and understanding of their various areas is vital.
Norway has a few items that typically surprise travellers when visiting Norway for the first time. Alcohol and luxury items are heavily taxed and therefore prices are higher than you would expect. On the other hand, necessities such as bread and milk, are taxed low and therefore are great value.
We recommend that you bring all the alcohol you’re allowed to bring into the country when you arrive. There are many lovely parks and balconies where you can enjoy your duty free. However, be sure not to bring more than you’re allowed!
As of May 2014, the allowances according to Visit Norway are:
Alcoholic beverages:
Minimum age: 18/ 20*
1 litre of beverages with more than 22% up to and including 60% alcohol per volume as well as 1½ litre with more than 2.5% up to and including 22% alcohol per volume or three litres with more than 2.5% up to and including 22% alcohol per volume
and
2 litres of beer with more than 2.5 % or other beverages with more than 2.5% up to and including 4.7% alcohol per volume.
This means that you may for example bring with you five litres of beer provided you do not have any other alcoholic beverages with you.
*For importing alcoholic beverages with more than 22% alcohol per volume the minimum age is 20.
It’s illegal to bring extra alcohol into Norway and can end up costing you. Another thing you should bring and not buy in Norway is razor blades. Good razor blades in Norway are expensive.